James Cameron Movies: Release Order
James Cameron is a Canadian filmmaker whose relatively small but incredibly impactful body of work has redefined blockbuster cinema. Known for combining cutting-edge technology with classical storytelling, Cameron has directed some of the most financially successful and technically revolutionary films in history, including Titanic and Avatar - both of which held the record as the highest-grossing film of all time.
This Release Order watch list presents all of Cameron's feature films chronologically by their theatrical release. His debut Piranha II: The Spawning had a notoriously troubled production where Cameron was fired after approximately two weeks of directing, though he is officially credited and later acknowledged it as his first feature.
From The Terminator onward, Cameron established himself as a master of science fiction action, creating iconic franchises and pushing the boundaries of visual effects with each successive film.
There is 1 other watch order available – see the link up above.

Piranha II: The Spawning
A scuba diving instructor and her companions investigate a series of mysterious deaths at a Caribbean resort, discovering they're linked to a deadly mutant strain of piranha fish lurking in a sunken ship.

The Terminator
A cyborg assassin is sent back in time from a post-apocalyptic future to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son will one day lead the human resistance against machines. A lone human warrior is also sent back to protect her from the seemingly indestructible killing machine.

Aliens
Ripley, the sole survivor of a deadly alien encounter, reluctantly joins a team of Colonial Marines on a mission back to the hostile planet where the nightmare began.

The Abyss
A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to search for a mysteriously sunken nuclear submarine, leading to an extraordinary underwater encounter 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day
A reprogrammed Terminator is sent back in time to protect young John Connor from a deadly new shape-shifting assassin. Together with his mother Sarah, they must prevent the rise of Skynet and stop a nuclear apocalypse.

True Lies
A secret agent's world is turned upside down when he suspects his wife of having an affair, all while terrorists threaten to smuggle nuclear warheads into the United States.

Titanic
A young aristocratic woman and a penniless artist fall in love aboard the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic in 1912.

Avatar
A paraplegic Marine is sent to the alien moon Pandora in the 22nd century, where he becomes caught between his military mission and protecting the native civilization he encounters.

Avatar: The Way of Water
More than a decade after the first film, Jake Sully and his family face new threats on Pandora, forcing them to seek refuge with an oceanic Na'vi clan. As danger follows them, the Sully family must adapt to their new underwater environment while fighting to protect each other.
Related Film Series
Alien
Humanity's terrifying encounters with a perfect killing organism across centuries of space exploration.
Avatar
James Cameron's groundbreaking science fiction saga following Jake Sully's journey on the alien world of Pandora across multiple decades.
The Terminator
A sci-fi franchise about humanity's war against artificial intelligence and time-traveling cyborgs sent to alter the past.
Other Film Series
Divergent
A dystopian trilogy following Tris Prior as she discovers her Divergent nature and leads a rebellion against the faction system controlling post-apocalyptic Chicago.
Jurassic Universe
The complete dinosaur franchise from Spielberg's original thriller through the modern blockbuster era.
Mad Max
A post-apocalyptic action franchise following the lone warrior Max Rockatansky as he navigates a dangerous wasteland filled with marauders and survivors.
Predator
Elite alien hunters stalk Earth throughout history, seeking the most dangerous prey in brutal combat.
Skyline
A sci-fi trilogy following humanity's battle against alien invaders, with each film building directly on the previous story.
Star Trek
A legendary science fiction franchise spanning multiple generations, following the adventures of Starfleet crews exploring the galaxy and upholding the ideals of the United Federation of Planets.